Machine for enameling sheet metal



0d. 9, 1934. w. K. FRIEND 1,976,066

MACHINE FOR ENAMELING SHEET METAL Filed Sept. 25., 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 Mm m/ William [(01771 fr mnd g/gow aw a ammud Get. 9, 11934.

w. K. FRIEND MACHINE FOR ENAMELING SHEET METAL Filed Sept. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 William Kehh Fiend Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR ENAIVIELING SHEET METAL William Keith Friend, Grand Rapids, Mich., as-

signor to American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 25, 1931, Serial No. 565,097

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for enameling metal sheets and more particularly to such machines whereby so-called orange peel finishes are eliminated.

In the porcelain enameling industry, the finished product has an uneven surface which in a measure resembles the outer surface of an orange skin. This uneven surface is frequently referred to as orange peel in the industry. The high and low areas while always present in enameled sheets vary to a considerable extent depending upon the consistency of the enamel, the method of coating the metal sheet and possibly upon other factors.

This orange peel surface is apparent whether the enamel coating is applied by dipping or spraying and the position of the enameled metal sheet in the vitrifying furnace, whether it be in a horizontal or vertical position, does not materially affect the character of the orange peel surface. Its extent and character is clearly visible, particularly when its high lights show, or the surface of the enameled metal sheet, if unglazed, may be marked by using the side of a soft stick of chalk to indicate the uneven surface.

This orange peel surface is frequently objectionable and it is particularly objectionable in deglazed porcelain enameled blackboards, since it causes uneven or broken lines when written upon with chalk. This defect is even more pronounced when the side of the chalk or crayon is used in shading or coloring.

I have discovered that this objectionable orange peel surface can be practically eliminated or at least reduced to such an appreciable extent as to be unobjectionable by jarring, jolting or vibrating the metal sheet after it has been dipped, sprayed or otherwise coated with enamel.

The vibrating or jolting or jarring action causes the wet enamel coating to flow out evenly and the amount of vibration required and the place or manner in which it is applied, depends upon many variables, such as the size of the sheet treated; the consistency of the enamel used, the method and type of vibrating mechanism used, and the type of table used upon which the sheet is caused to be shaken.

An illustrative embodiment of one type of machine which may be effectively used in the process above described is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:--

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine;

Figure 2 is a sectional view thereof taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the machine as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view; and

Figure 5 is a top plan perspective view of the machine.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the same numerals in the several (Cl. ill-61) views, a table 1, supported by legs 2, is provided with a series of rigidly secured angle iron elements 3 for supporting the enamel coated metal sheet 4.

Adjacent one side of the table is fastened a series of blocks 5 to which are secured an angle iron member 6 to whose outer side a plurality of pneumatic vibrators 7 are mounted.

A series of channel bar elements 8 against which the edge of the enamel coated metal sheet is adapted to contact, are rigidly secured to the inner side of the angle iron member 6 in any suitable manner as by spot welding and a flexible vertical clamping bar 9 secured to the table is adapted to clamp the enamel coated sheet against the channel bar elements 8 when the eccentric head 10 of the lever 11 mounted on the bracket 12 is rotated as best shown in Figure 4.

Knife edge blades formed by the angle iron elements 3 thus support the sheet and the pneumatic vibrators cause the sheet to vibrate between the channel bar elements 8 and the clamping bar 9, thereby causing the wet enamel coating to fiow out evenly after which the sheet is transferred to the ovens for firing or baking.

It will of course be understood that other types of machines may be used for jolting, jarring or vibrating the wet enamel coated sheet although the type shown in the accompanying drawings has been found entirely satisfactory.

While but one type of machine for carrying out the process described has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that other types of machines for effecting the process may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, elements for supporting an enamel coated metal sheet, pneumatic vibrators mounted adjacent one end of the sheet supporting elements for jarring the sheet whereby the wet coat of enamel is caused to flow evenly over the sheet.

2. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of spaced members for supporting an enamel coated metal sheet, a member disposed transversely of said sheet supporting members adapted to receive one side of the sheet in contact therewith, clamping means for maintaining a sheet against said transverse member, and a vibrator mounted in conjunction with said transverse member for jarring the sheet whereby a Wet coat of enamel is caused to flow evenly over the sheet.

WILLIAM KEITH FRIEND. 

